Dubai Studio City to showcase facilities at American Film Market

Dubai Studio City, the Middle East’s first dedicated film production cluster, will highlight Dubai as a compelling destination for international filmmakers during American Film Market (AFM), which is currently being held in Santa Monica, California.

Dubai Studio City executive director Jamal Al Sharif, will lead a panel discussion on Location Expo: National Perspectives, highlighting production incentives to film commissioners and representatives worldwide.

Studio City’s Location Approval Services (LAS) department will also be highlighted at AFM. With a sole mandate to issue permissions for filming and photography activities in Dubai, LAS expedites and facilitates all aspects of filming in Dubai and the UAE, including location scouting, access of talent, arrangement of visas, and arranging affordable accommodations for crew members.

In line with its commitment to boost the growth of the film industry in the region, Dubai Studio City recently launched DSCMarket.com, an online marketplace for film production, photography and ancillary services.

Spread over 22 million sq ft, Dubai Studio City has 14 fully equipped sound stages, a 3.5-million sq. ft. back lot for outdoor shooting, commercial offices, pre-built studios, a business centre and post-production studios. The first phase will feature a 15,000 sq. ft. sound stage and two units of 25,000 sq. ft. each, which will be operational in 2009.

Dubai Studio City is also home to over 70 broadcasters, while more than 160 TV channels operate from Dubai Media City, a sister facility. DSC has over 140 licensed business partners, comprising companies such as MTV, Spacetoon, Nickelodeon, NDTV, EVS Broadcast Equipment SA, Irdeto, Alpatron, and Mediapro.